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Polyurethane foam innovator and producer of flame-retardant, lightweighting core materials for aerospace applications will
also present its expanded production capabilities and dielectric foam series for radio-frequency applications.

Tacoma, Wash. – March 22, 2018 – General Plastics Manufacturing Company, an AS9100-certified supplier of high-performance polyurethane foam products and build-to-print parts to the aerospace industry, will exhibit in the 2018 Aircraft Interiors Expo, taking place April 10-12 in Hamburg, Germany. The company will be in booth 6A70/E with the Washington State Department of Commerce. General Plastics will highlight its lightweight, strong, and durable LAST-A-FOAM® rigid foam series and custom components for aircraft interior applications, as well as their latest introduction, the LAST-A-FOAM® RF-2200 Dielectric Foam Series for satellite antenna and communications applications. Visitors will be able to explore its unique materials and comprehensive in-house production capabilities that satisfy design engineers’ myriad requirements and specifications.

General Plastics’ solid track record for producing custom aircraft interior components include honeycomb panel edge close-out and foam core materials for aircraft interiors such as sandwich core for ceiling, wall, door and cabin class divider panels, stow bins, and decorative flyaway parts and edge closeouts. Expo participants will have the opportunity to see samples of finished products, including sophisticated assemblies that can be delivered ready to install.

FST/OSU-compliant foam core

The LAST-A-FOAM®FR-3800 FST rigid foam series satisfies fire, smoke and toxicity requirements and the need for light weighting in commercial aerospace interiors. This composite core material is an ideal high-performance, low-cost replacement for expensive raw materials while addressing needs for design flexibility, safety, and physical properties. It replaces honeycomb within decorative, nonstructural panels and is an ideal substitute for decorative aluminum molded parts. In addition to their flammability and strength-to-weight properties, these halogen-free foams machine easily, bond securely with composite skins, and are thermoformable.

Custom molded parts

Samples of General Plastics’ custom molded parts will also be on-hand. These are produced from flame-retardant, self-extinguishing, self-skinning flexible polyurethane foam materials that can be shaped, textured and color-specified to accommodate customers’ requirements. Within the aerospace industry alone, these build-to-print parts serve as flight deck components, armrest pads, bin-to-bin closeout seals and header seals.

Dielectric core material

The new LAST-A-FOAM® RF-2200 Dielectric Foam Series was designed and fully characterized to provide electrically insulating, RF-transparent protection for antennas and communications systems. Its high Tg (exceeding 350º) accommodates the thermal curing processes and BMI resins typically used for composite prepregs. Further, the material remains dimensionally stable and does not absorb water, preserving its dielectric performance even under harsh conditions. The standard low densities (3, 4 and 6 pcf) are easy to machine, maneuver and process; customers may specify other densities to satisfy their particular requirements.

In-house production services

From small to large runs of specialty parts for OEM and Tier 1 and Tier 2 parts programs, General Plastics offers extensive in-house production capabilities. Its one-stop services include part and tool design to manufacture of mold tooling, 5-axis CNC machining, and production of parts through all phases to delivery, regardless of whether they are produced from molded or machined foam. Aircraft Interiors Expo attendees will have the ability to see how they can streamline their manufacturing processes and meet their schedules while removing excess costs from their supply chain.

About General Plastics Manufacturing Company

Tacoma, Washington-based General Plastics Manufacturing Company has been a leading innovator in the plastics industry for more than 75 years. The company develops and manufactures rigid and flexible polyurethane foam products, which include its signature LAST-A-FOAM® brand series and build-to-print composite parts.

Directly or through its network of distributors, General Plastics serves the aerospace and defense, nuclear packaging, composite core, prototype and modeling, construction, dimensional signage, testing and marine industries. General Plastics is certified to ISO 9001:2015/AS9100D, Nadcap-accredited (AC7130 Rev. A and AC7130/1 Rev.), and meets the rigorous demands of numerous leading quality systems, which include NQA-1, Mil-I-45208A and Boeing Company D6-82479. Please visit www.generalplastics.com.

A Message from General Plastics Mfg. Co.

General Plastics Manufacturing Co., a supplier of high-performance polyurethane foam products and built-to-print composite parts, was recognized by The Boeing Company as Supplier of the Year in the Outstanding Performance category.

THE SURPRISING IMPACT OF MATERIAL PROCESSING
When it comes to creating new products, most manufacturers agree that solidifying a bulletproof design and selecting the right materials are critical to the project’s success.

For manufacturing industries such as aerospace, automotive, marine, and wind energy, prototyping is a familiar part of the product development process, commonly used for R&D testing, product demonstrations, and regulatory certifications.

Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D., President/CEO of General Plastics Manufacturing Company will be one of the speakers at the leadership panel, Reducing Material & Equipment Cost While Improving Foam Capabilities, on March 26, 2019, 10:00 am, Track 1, at Foam Expo North America in Novi, Michigan.
“The topic is timely given the current market pressures caused by increasing cost of raw materials while ensuring that we continue to deliver quality products,” said Dr.

Nadcap-certified manufacturer of high-performance polyurethane foam products will also showcase its RF-2200 Dielectric Foam Series for radio-frequency applications and expanded production capabilities.

General Plastics Manufacturing Co., global supplier of high-performance polyurethane foam products and composite parts, will be at booth R46 to showcase the new LAST-A-FOAM® RF-2200, a lightweight material that provides an RF-transparent protective layer for radome and antenna applications.

General Plastics received Nadcap accreditation for Measurement and Inspection for its Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)
TACOMA, Wash. – September 25, 2017 – General Plastics Manufacturing Company, global supplier of high-performance polyurethane foam products and composite parts, is proud to announce that it received the Nadcap accreditation for Measurement and Inspection (AC7130 Rev. 1), specifically for its Coordinate Measuring Machine (AC7130/1 Rev A.). The Nadcap designation allows General Plastics’ inclusion in the Performance Review Institute (PRI) Qualified Manufacturer’s List (QML), joining a group of only 61 companies in the nation to attain this standard.

In 2016, Promontory, Utah, nozzle plugs made from General Plastics’ LAST-A-FOAM® FR-4300 played an important role in protecting rockets for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS). General Plastics’ customer, Orbital ATK, a global leader in aerospace and defense technologies, is producing the five-segment solid rocket boosters for the 322-foot SLS – the most powerful motors ever flown.

Polyurethane foam manufacturer expands its revenue team with the hiring of seasoned business development professional
Tacoma, Wash. – June 19, 2017 – High-performance rigid and flexible polyurethane foam manufacturer, General Plastics Manufacturing Company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dave Watt as Business Development and Sales Manager.

Shaping Ideas into Flyaway Aerospace and Defense Solutions
General Plastics’ LAST-A-FOAM® polyurethane foam products has a rich history in successful aerospace, military and defense applications, and have proudly supported companies like Orbital ATK in space travel and exploration.

Polyurethane foam pacesetter also highlighting rigid and flexible molded parts and FAA-certified testing capabilities
Tacoma, Wash. – March 30, 2017 – General Plastics Manufacturing Company, a recognized supplier of high-performance rigid and flexible foams and build-to-print parts to the aerospace industry, is looking forward to being a part of the Washington State Department of Commerce delegation at the 2017 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, April 4-6.

Polyurethane foam innovator also highlighting its rigid and flexible molded parts and FAA-certified testing capabilities
Tacoma, Wash. – February 21, 2017 - General Plastics Manufacturing Company, leading provider of high performance rigid and flexible polyurethane foam and build-to-print parts, will participate in this year’s JEC World International Composites Event in Paris, France on March 14 – 16, booth R39a in Hall 6.

Traditional Media and Their Drawbacks
Common materials for orthopedic testing and education – most often, cadaver specimens, but also animal bones and wood – while utilitarian, are far from ideal for today's researchers and students.

Leading manufacturer known for research and development, quality systems and solving customers’ most vexing challenges is poised to advance new materials and expand in new markets
TACOMA, Wash. – November 28, 2016 – General Plastics Manufacturing Company, a leading global supplier of rigid and flexible polyurethane foam materials and build-to-print parts, marks its 75th anniversary on December 1, 2016 with the announcement of the promotion of Mitchell Johnson, Ph.D. to company president.

General Plastics’ High-Temperature Tooling Foam and Machining Services Help Aerospace Innovator compress its Research and Development Cycle
Faster True-to-Life Prototyping Speeds New Products to Market Thanks to Expertly Machined High-Temp Tooling Board
The Application:
Based in Everett, Wash., BLR Aerospace specializes in aerodynamic performance enhancements for helicopters and turbine-powered aircraft.

Tooling boards improve processes
In the composites industry, many parts are the product of one-off or few-of-a-kind production programs. In response, tooling material suppliers today provide an increasing variety of relatively inexpensive materials grouped under the heading of tooling board.